What does it mean word for word?
The component un bicchiere di vino literally translates to "a glass of wine", where un bicchiere means "a glass" and di vino means "of wine".
Which one should you use?
Depending on the situation, you might choose different forms. Vorrei un bicchiere di vino uses the conditional form of the verb volere and is a very common, slightly more elegant way to order a drink in a restaurant. For more formal settings, you can use Posso avere un bicchiere di vino, per favore? or Mi scusi, potrei ordinare un bicchiere di vino? to say "Excuse me, may I order a glass of wine?" In contrast, Mi dai un bicchiere di vino, per favore? is an informal way to ask, translating to "Can you give me a glass of wine, please?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Veneto region, you might hear people specify a type of wine instead of saying "red/white wine", such as un bicchiere di Valpolicella or un bicchiere di Soave.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bicchiere (glass) is a masculine noun, which is why the indefinite article un is used.
Did you know?
- In Italy, asking for a glass of wine might result in a sfuso pour, where wine is sold by the house from a large cask rather than a branded bottle.
- In many Italian bars, you do not sit to enjoy your bicchiere di vino but instead drink it standing up at the counter.
- The word bicchiere shares a common ancestry with the English word 'beaker' and the German 'Becher'. They all trace back to the Late Latin word bīcārium.
Examples in context
- Mi scusi, potrei ordinare un bicchiere di vino rosso?Excuse me, may I order a glass of red wine?
- Posso avere un bicchiere di vino rosso, per favore?Can I have a glass of red wine, please?
- Scusi, posso avere un bicchiere di vino bianco?Excuse me, can I have a glass of white wine?
- Posso avere un bicchiere di vino per festeggiare?Can I have a glass of wine to celebrate?
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are at a restaurant dinner.
- FrancescoSofia, posso avere un bicchiere di vino?Sofia, can I have a glass of wine?
- SofiaCerto, Francesco, lo ordino subito.Of course, Francesco, I will order it right away.
- FrancescoGrazie, preferisco il vino rosso.Thanks, I prefer red wine.
- SofiaOttima scelta, chiamo il cameriere.Great choice, I'll call the waiter.
